CLEVER DRINKS

Cocktails

AVIATION

After making friends with the Tom Collins, take some time to appreciate the Aviation. Served up in a Martini glass, the gorgeous lavender-colored Aviation is made with Crème de Violette or Creme Yvette, Maraschino liqueur, gin, and lemon juice.

GIMLET

One sip of a Gimlet and it’s apparent why the classic cocktail is a favorite. Think of a proper Daiquiri, just with gin.

ESPRESSO MARTINI

Want to feel both alert and relaxed? The Espresso Martini has been here for you for decades, and it’s still one of the most popular cocktails at the world’s top bars. The after-dinner drink will wake you up out of your food coma while still keeping your buzz going.

DARK ’N’ STORMY

The Dark ’n’ Stormy, like the Cuba Libre, is a simple drink, yet it has all that it needs. It’s a mix of Gosling’s rum (and only Gosling’s rum) and ginger beer.

BOULEVARDIER

BLOODY MARY

Brunch and breakfast will never let the Bloody Mary die. What else besides a house mix of tomato juice, vodka, and spices could make drinking in the early sunlight hours acceptable?

DAIQUIRI

The Daiquiri is often abused with fruit and blenders, but a true Daiquiri made with white rum, lime juice, and simple syrup is a clean and refreshing drink for any occasion.

OLD FASHIONED

The Old Fashioned is a drink that seems like it doesn’t get old for consumers. It’s simple — rye or bourbon whiskey, a sugar cube, Angostura bitters and an orange twist — and it’s classic. It’s also beloved worldwide.

MAI TAI

Nothing represents the tiki movement quite like the Mai Tai. It’s hard to resist the lifeline to the tropics that is the Mai Tai — kitsch be damned.

SAZERAC

The hefty Sazerac is a drink that can take you through anything. Breaking into the top 10, many of the drinks fade into classics. Few classics have the staying power of the Sazerac, which originated in the 1850s in New Orleans. Originally made with Cognac, it’s also made with whiskey today.

MOJITO

The Cuba Libre may have the actual name of Cuba in it, but the Mojito is the island nation’s most popular contribution to cocktail culture. The simple mix of white rum, lime juice, cane sugar, and soda is fresh and tropical without being cloying.

MOSCOW MULE

Whether you consider vodka a flavorless hinderance of the spirits world or the perfect quiet mixer, there’s no denying the joy of a well-made Moscow Mule. The ginger, vodka, lime, and soda mix is famously served in a Moscow Mule mug.

MARGARITA

Are you even a bartender if you don’t know how to make a Margarita? Tequila’s favorite vessel is one of the most well-known and craved cocktails in America.

DRY MARTINI

A well-made dry Martini is elegance personified. The classic mix of gin and dry vermouth ranks No. 6 in the Top 50 cocktails.

WHISKEY SOUR

The Whiskey Sour is always dependable, nearly always present at bars around the world. The simple drink is a fit for whiskey lovers and haters alike.

MANHATTAN

It’s hard to move on from the Manhattan, and the recent rise of rye whiskey makes it even more difficult. Spicy rye, sweet vermouth, and two dashes of Angostura, stirred, strained, and garnished with a brandied cherry can make you feel like a true gentleman.